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“Are you ready?” Addie joined him in the library, her empty smile bringing his spirits down further.
Grayson picked up the notes he’d been making while he waited for his wife. “Yes. Where is Michael?”
“He’s with Mrs. Banfield. They will be down any minute.”
“How does he appear? Is he nervous?”
Addie smiled, the warm smile that used to be for him, but now only appeared when she spo
ke of Michael. He really had to get to the bottom of this once the hearing ended.
“No. In fact, he appears more excited to show off his new skills than nervous.”
Grayson walked toward her and took her hands in his. He raised her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for my son.”
Addie pulled away, her eyes shuttered. “‘Tis my duty, my lord.” She turned and walked to the door, her back straight.
Grayson shook his head. Yes. He would get to the bottom of this. Soon.
The courthouse loomed before them and he had to admit to twinges of nervousness himself. His barrister, Mr. Daniel Albright met them as they entered the building.
“Are we ready?” the barrister asked as he joined them, his steps jaunty. He turned from Grayson and bowed to Mrs. Banfield and Addie. “Good morning, my lady. Mrs. Banfield.”
When Mr. Albright had suggested that Addie do the interpretation during the hearing for Michael instead of his tutor, Mr. Graves, Grayson was a bit reluctant, wanting to make sure everything went well. But Mr. Albright was adamant that Addie would garner more support being a woman, the boy’s stepmother, and very competent in sign language.
They entered the room in the Court in Chancery where the hearing was to be held. Grayson nodded briefly to his sister-in-law, Beatrice, and the man sitting alongside her, who he assumed was her legal representative. His nephew, David Hartley, was nowhere to be seen, but perhaps he wasn’t needed for this hearing even though their hoped-for outcome would benefit him.
Grayson immediately noticed that with tightened lips, Addie ignored Beatrice striding right past her, although she had never met her before. He was not in the mood to introduce them, so he just herded his group into the chairs facing the front of the room.
He glanced briefly at Beatrice and frowned at the smirk she tossed at Addie, which he found odd. Addie continued to stare straight ahead, but her face had paled. Perhaps she was nervous, too. He reached over and took her hand in his and gave it a slight squeeze.
The hearing began with the magistrate reading aloud the document filed with the court to have Michael declared incompetent. When he finished, the man removed his spectacles and laid the paper down in front of him.
“I see no reason for this hearing since the boy in this case is his father’s rightful heir, and unless the father is deceased there is no reason to question the heir’s competency.”
The man sitting alongside Beatrice, who had been introduced to the court as Mr. Wallingham, stood and addressed the magistrate. “Sir, I wish to explain that the young boy, the Viscount Falmouth, has never spoken a word since his birth and is known to grunt to make himself known.
“We have reason to believe he is incompetent, and wish to have Mr. David Hartley, son of the late Mr. Peter Hartley declared as the heir presumptive.”
The magistrate peered down at him. “For what purpose? I’m looking over at Lord Berkshire who seems to be in fine health to me.”
“Sir, I am sure you are aware that accidents happen, and illnesses can take one’s life very quickly. We wish to have a smooth transition when the time comes.” He blushed and added, “Not that we hope for that occasion to be anytime soon.”
The magistrate signaled Mr. Wallingham to take his seat. He then looked over at Mr. Albright. “What have you to say in response to this?”
Mr. Albright stood and acknowledged the magistrate. “Sir, young Michael, the Viscount Falmouth, is not incompetent nor an idiot. He is deaf. And as such, until recently was only able to express himself in grunts.
“However, Lord Berkshire has obtained a tutor who taught his son, as well as the lad’s stepmother, Lady Berkshire, sign language. We can prove to the court that Michael is not incompetent in any way.”
The magistrate continued to stare at Mr. Albright his brows rising. “That is quite interesting. I have heard of sign language before, but never saw it demonstrated. I would like to see an example.”
Mr. Albright nodded at Addie and she stood, taking Michael’s hand. She then moved him to the chair alongside the magistrate and turned to the imposing-looking man. “Sir, you may ask anything of Michael. I will then ask him the question and he will respond.”
This was it. Grayson already felt that the magistrate was on their side, but he wanted so badly to prove to the world that his son, while perhaps not perfect, was still intelligent, and able to speak and communicate in his own way.
“Ask the young man how old he is.” The magistrate nodded at Michael.
Addie made the correct signs, Michael signed back and she turned to the magistrate. “Four years.”
